Picking the right tires and wheels is one of the more difficult choices, because if you pick the wrong stuff, you're out a couple thousand bucks and you're stuck with them for quite a while.
I'm looking to replace my tire/wheel combo on my Wrangler, but know I'll likely regret my decision to go with 33's on 16" aluminum rims, and not 35's on 15" steel rims, or something similar. I had the same issue with previous Jeeps and have spent more on tires that suck or were the wrong size, width, or tread.
So...what bad decisions have you made with your tires and rims?
I see way more 33's on Jeeps then i do 35's.
I personally have never regretted a wheel and tire purchase, thanks to a lot of research and reviews.
Now if you don't have the funds for exactly what you want , i can see where you'd have some regrets. Lol
Regardless of 33's or 35's...I would stick with a 15"x8" rim with a 3.75" backspace. Tires are cheaper and more options available. Functionally they work better offroad (when tires are aired down).
As far as tires, you have to evaluate how many miles you expect out them, ride, noise, offroad terrain, sidewall durability, cost, etc. Lots of variables as there is no perfect tire. I found the Good Year Duratrac to meet most of my expectations of long lasting (40-50K), quiet on the road, does very well offroad, and excellent in the snow, fairly good in 3-4inches of soupy mud, excellent in sand.
I don't rock crawl, if I did then a tire with reinforced sidewalls would be at the top of my considerations...likely the Goodyear MT/R or Cooper SST Pro and just live with the road noise.
I have 17" Tuff T20 wheels, and 265/70/r17 Wildpeak tires - I know the conventional wisdom is to go with 15" wheels, but I really like my combination. No regrets at all.
Stick with 15" wheels. Tires are cheaper and available in the proper load range for a wrangler, there is a better selection of tires, if off road, there is better protection to the wheels.
I ran 16" rims for a couple of years and am now back to 15". It was costing me about $250 more for 5 tires in the 16" rim size, and because the sidewalls are stiffer, created a harsher ride.
I have to say, your tires look pretty good with the 15's. There is a jeep around here (I think it's one of the SpiderWebShade guys) who has 37's on 15's and their tires look a bit goofy unfortunately. After a certain size I have to say going up a rim size keeps it more proportional.
I just bought new wheels. I ended up buying some American Outlaw Deputy wheels in 15x8.5 inches with 4 inches of backspacing. I got them from Discount Tire. They have five different wheels in this size that will fit the TJ: Wheel Products - Discount Tire Direct
Here are what my wheels look like:
I like having 8.5 inches of width because most major tire stores won't install 12.5 inch wide tires on 8 inch wide wheels.
For durability offroad you can't beat the good old fashioned steel wheel. I've seen the bead on alloy wheels break on a rock, steel will just bend and can be bent back with a hammer. For tires, have always been a fan of Interco Super Swampers, yeah their noisy on road and tread life on road you're not gonna see 30,000 miles, offroad is where they shine. That being said I just picked up a set of Eldorado (Cooper makes them) Mud Claws, similar tread pattern and sidewall lugs as the Super Swamper and half the price. Guess in time I'll find out if their worth it.
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